supabowlgang

Why Hawai`i Expatriates Get Together

"Why do they get together? 
Why do they continue to seek each other out 
after all these years?" 
~ The Honolulu Advertiser

Sure, the supabowlgang members enjoy each other's company.  But it's more than that. 

The ties that continue to bind are: island ways, roots, and identity, smatterings of pidgin, 'ono (delicious) food, sports,  "talk story" about 'dis an' dat, Hawaiian music, pets, and most of all, their Aloha for each other.

The synergism goes deeper.  And for the most part, on a subliminal level.  To speak about it, well, it would be too mushy-gushy.  To write about it...well, maybe less so.

When together, they separate from the "Here today, gone tomorrow" transient nature of urban living, which for island people is wearing after awhile, if not alienating.  They take a break away from the ambient philosophy of "An ounce of image is worth a pound of performance."  

"Even if you win the rat race, 
you're still a rat."
~ Anonymous 

They get to relax. Get back in touch with who they really are:  keiki o ka `âina.  As "children of the land," they are down to Earth. 

Local style, everybody helps out, be it setting up or cleaning up. They mâlama -- take care of -- each other. Behaving in local ways, they feel like they're at home again, if only for awhile. 

On a subconscious level, they celebrate The Aloha Spirit.  That intangible loving spirit of kindness, caring and generosity that was breathed into their souls as keiki (children) by the land and by their families. The infusion is bountiful, overflowing into the next generation of keiki, who could easily become strangers in their parents' and grandparents' homeland.

"For Locals Only! 
How long has it been since 
you were a part of the sharing, giving and 
the spreading of The Aloha Spirit? 
Or for that matter, 
do you have it or know what it is?" 
~ The Honolulu Advertiser

Their Mainland-raised children are less inclined to think of their parent's Hawai`i ways as quaint and outdated. Over shared food, customs, traditions, play, and music, the keiki are adopting island ways of relating with others.

At every supabowlgang parting, everybody has to go shishi (pee) first before hitting the road, then there is a flurry of hugs and kisses, long waves, and good wishes.  The parents leave less homesick, less alienated in spirit.  The kids have played their hearts out with their cuzzes. 

Hawaiian-style, the supabowlgang has been filled, grounded, rooted and reconnected.  They have experienced the familiar feelings of Mâlama (taking care of each other), Mahalo and Aloha. 

For 'mid our friends, tried and true,
Once more we our youth, renew.
But old friends, alas! May die;
New friends must their place supply.
Cherish friendship in your breast.
New is good; but old is best;
Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, these are gold."
~Patricia Koken Merrill

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